Courtney and Billy Joe Wilkins stand with their daughters, Josie, Abby and Mayci. The Wilkins were recently named the Johnson County Farm Family of the Year and Northwest District Farm Family of the Year. (THE COURIER / Submitted)

The Johnson County Farm Family of the Year and Northwest District Farm Family of the Year winners Billy Joe and Courtney couldn’t imagine living any other way than on their 255-acre farm — it runs in the family.

Billy Joe grew up farming cattle and chickens on his family’s farm in Lutherville, while Courtney’s parents had cattle at her grandparents’ home in Big Flat.

Both studied agricultural business at Arkansas Tech University after graduating from high school — Billy Joe from Lamar and Courtney from Caddo Hills — but the pair didn’t meet until they began working at Tyson Foods in Clarksville.

After realizing they shared a passion for agriculture, Billy Joe and Courtney married in 2004.

“We both grew up on a farm, and it’s something we knew we both wanted to do early on,” Courtney said.

Billy Joe left Tyson in 2006 to pursue full-time farming when the family was able to purchase their own 255 acres and home, which has now expanded to six broiler houses, more than 30 cows and a 1,200-bale-per-year Bermuda grass operation.

Courtney left Tyson in 2011 to begin an agricultural education program at Dover High School, where she taught 188 students last year in animal science, agricultural business and marketing, natural resource, poultry and beef science and veterinary science. She started Dover’s chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) this past school year, which earned her Dover School District Teacher of the Year honors.

“I come from a long line of educators, and I got to see them change the lives of so many kids,” Courtney said. “I knew that’s where I was supposed to be. Being with the kids every day is an inspiration.”

Courtney said her favorite part of farming is seeing their children — Josie, 8, Abby, 4 and Mayci, 2 — grow up in an agricultural environment.

“It’s just being able to instill in them that you have to earn what you get and teaching them responsibility,” Courtney said.

Billy Joe ensures farming stays in the family by having his daughters help with day-to-day operations, which he enjoys overseeing.

“He’s not stuck behind a desk and can control what goes on, managing it the way he wants,” Courtney said. “That’s his favorite part of owning the farm.”

And though Billy Joe manages the farm, the couple knows their success would be limited without the support of family.

“Without the help of our family, this operation could not be possible.”